Last December, two separate bombings rocked the Russian city of Volgograd, resulting in dozens of deaths. Unlike the Boston Marathon bombings in the United States earlier in the year, there was virtually no international condemnation, despite that these were clearly sinisterly plotted by terrorists with an aim to disrupt the Winter Olympics at Sochi.

Be that as it may, the opening of the sporting event went smoothly last Friday, much to the joy of President Vladimir Putin. Personally, I, too, was pleased that nothing untoward happened, for one more life lost in terrorist attacks would mean another setback in human civilisation.

Still, Sochi has attracted far more international attention, not because of the potential risks that it could face, but due to a concerted effort worldwide to humiliate the Russian authorities as a result of Putin's homophobic remarks in recent months.

Prior to the Winter Olympics, the Russian Duma passed an anti-gay law that is widely considered as uncalled for and discriminatory, for it bans any promotion of “non-traditional sexual relations to minors”. Suddenly, there were seemingly 'universal' calls for a boycott - with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights lobbyists leading the chorus - although the law is far from criminalising homosexuality altogether.

Don't get me wrong, I am thoroughly and resolutely against the legislation - mooted by none other than Putin (left in photo) himself - but certain perspectives must be maintained before the world rushes to show its 'indignation'.

For instance, how many of those who shout for Russia to be punished for its anti-gay law are aware of Section 28 passed by the Margaret Thatcher government back in the 1980s? The UK law amendment banned the local authorities from “promoting homosexuality” and was only repealed in 2003.

Did we witness any righteous wrath when Manchester won the right to host the 2002 Commonwealth Games? Not at all, and the games went on rather peacefully and successfully.

Similarly, Tokyo has been entrusted with the task of organising the 2020 Olympics despite the failure of the successive Japanese governments in facing up to the historical injustice done before, and during, World War II.

Indifference from the west
    
What is more, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid a visit recently to the highly controversial Yasukuni Shrine that honours 14 Class A war criminals - including Hideki Tojo - effectively telling the world that these warmongers that had wrought havoc in much of Asia were no villains, but heroes.

Again, much of the western world has opted for indifference in the face of Japan's revisionism. Would Washington, London or Paris be equally silent had Angela Merkel paid tribute to Adolf Hitler even in the mildest and subtlest form?

In 1998, Kuala Lumpur hosted the Commonwealth Games with much fanfare; Queen Elizabeth II, as head of the Commonwealth, arrived to officiate the opening ceremony. As she was attending a church service at St Mary's Church, shouts of ‘reformasi’ could be heard from across the Merdeka Square next door.

At the same time, human rights activists and opposition leaders were being arrested under the notorious Internal Security Act (ISA) at the behest of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. As protesters chanted ‘reformasi’, Umno thugs responded with 'sodomy'.

The Malaysian air was thick with homophobia. Still, the winning athletes indulged in ecstasy, while the leading democracies - from Britain, Australia and Canada to New Zealand - simply looked on.

In 1993, China lost its bid for the 2000 Olympics allegedly due to its human rights violations, especially when the memories of the Tiananmen Massacre of 1989 remained fresh in the minds of many.

The trophy went to Australia, although Canberra had uttered no apologies whatsoever over its maltreatment of the aborigines and the so-called “Stolen Generations”. Ironically, John Howard, the then prime minister who oversaw the Games, had consistently refused to consider a national apology over the historical wrongdoing.

The fact is, Beijing did not secure the right to host the Millennium Games because it was financially not in a position to offer lucrative contracts to many of the salivating countries and multinational conglomerates. China only 'came of age' in 2008, after its economy had become large and sizeable enough to ensure every major country in the world 'a fair share' in the Games, advertising revenues in particular.

What else is new?

Further back in history, the world stood idly by when the Nazi regime hosted the 1936 Olympics with the anti-Semitic race law being intact, while London hosted the 1908 and 1948 Games when its colonial rule had caused starvation, famines and poverty of seismic proportions across the subcontinent.

Looking into the future, Qatar is scheduled to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup even though the autocratic kingdom has a long history of human rights violations, including the merciless persecution of homosexuals in the name of Islam.

Not to mention Saudi Arabia, in which executions of homosexuals are common. Still, the House of Saud is held in high regard by Barack Obama, who has proudly told the world that he could ill tolerate Moscow's anti-gay law.

So, what else is new? And why should Russia be made to look like an imminent threat?

I do not approve of Putin's homophobia, but for human rights campaigners to shame Moscow, I would demand a fair amount of consistency. If the blatant hypocrisy cannot be overcome, let's just admit one should not attach too much value and morality to the Olympic Games. After all, these are just among the occasions when sport professionals would like to have their limits tested and potential realised, while others join in the fun.

In other words, fight Putin's homophobia in other ways and just spare the games. Let the show begin so that the world can sit back and relax.


JOSH HONG studied politics at London Metropolitan University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. A keen watcher of domestic and international politics, he longs for a day when Malaysians will learn and master the art of self-mockery, and enjoy life to the full in spite of politicians.